Step-By-Step is funded by Oak Foundation and works holistically with people faced with homelessness, supporting them with their housing issues, their mental health and their access to vocational activities such as learning, training, volunteering and employment.

In the last year, our Step-By-Step project has made a big impact in Rhondda Cynon Taf, achieving the following outcomes:

112 people supported with access to housing, health and vocational opportunities;

79 people moved into a home of their own;

49 people accessed housing in the private rented sector;

18 people secured employment.

The Welsh Government report, which was released this month, recognises Step-By-Step as a ‘commendable’ example of a project that works in partnership with services to prevent homelessness and reduce the barriers that some people experience within the private rented sector:

“We heard about the significant practical and financial barriers that homeless households, including rough sleepers, face in accessing private rented accommodation. These barriers, combined with the apparent reluctance of some landlords to house individuals not traditionally living in, or necessarily thought suited to, private rented accommodation, make it a challenge for rough sleepers to secure tenancies in the PRS. We believe that stronger working relationships with the PRS are key to tackling some of these issues, not least to overcome any preconceptions about the homeless community, in particular rough sleepers.

“We are delighted that our Step-By-Step project has been recognised by Welsh Government as a model of good practice in preventing homelessness. Our approach to delivering services is holistic, based on the individual need of every person we work with. Step-By-Step looks at the wider implications of why someone may be faced with homelessness, and works alongside them to address those issues through a range of tailored support and collaborating with key services and landlords.”